How to tell 另外(lìng wài) and 另(lìng) apart!

Once your Chinese learning reaches an intermediate level, you may find that you have some difficulty with synonyms. Most Chinese learners wonder if these synonyms are interchangeable, or wonder which particular word(s) to use in a situation where a couple of words appear to be applicable. Using “另外/另” as an example – let’s see how to properly use each of them.

另外 (lìng wài)

1、The pronoun”另外”indicates a person(s) or thing(s) other than those that have already been mentioned, often used in the structure “另外（+的）+Num-M(+N)” or “另外+的（+N）”. For example:

I hope you can finish the work on time, besides, you should dress more formally.

另 (lìng)

On the other hand, “另” is the abbreviated version of “另外.” Both of them can be used as pronouns referring to the person(s) or thing(s) other than what has been mentioned and as adverbs meaning “beyond the scope mentioned previously,” like we discussed above.

However, there are also some differences between them:

1、Though “另外” is often used in the structure “另外+（的）+Num-M(+N)” or “另外+（的） (+N),” this structure may or may not include “的.” If “另外” is replaced by “另”，then one must omit “的.”

For example, if you want to say “I’m using this computer, please use the other one.” You can say:

我在用这台电脑，请你用另外/另一台吧。(√)

(Wǒ zài yòng zhè tái diànnǎo, qǐng nǐ yòng lìngwài /lìng yītái ba.)

我在用这台电脑，请你用另外的电脑吧。(√)

(Wǒ zài yòng zhè tái diànnǎo, qǐng nǐ yòng lìngwài de diànnǎo ba.)

我在用这台电脑，请你用另外的一台吧。(√)

(Wǒ zài yòng zhè tái diànnǎo, qǐng nǐ yòng lìngwài de yītái ba.)

And you cannot say:

我在用这台电脑，请你用另的一台吧。 (×)

(Wǒ zài yòng zhè tái diànnǎo, qǐng nǐ yòng lìng de yītái ba.)

我在用这台电脑，请你用另的电脑吧。 (×)

(Wǒ zài yòng zhè tái diànnǎo, qǐng nǐ yòng lìng de diànnǎo ba.)

2、“另” is usually used to modify a monosyllabic verb, while “另外” has no such restriction.

He not only helped us solve the problem, but also provided us with some new materials.

3、Finally, though “另外” can be used as a conjunction, “另”cannot.

E.g. 冬季应该多吃水果。另外，还要记得多喝水。

(Dōngjì yīnggāi duō chī shuǐguǒ. Lìngwài, háiyào jìdé duō hēshuǐ. √)

(Dōngjì yīnggāi duō chī shuǐguǒ. Lìng ,háiyào jìdé duō hēshuǐ. ×)

You should eat more fruit in winter. Besides, remember to drink more water.

Note that in some set or idiomatic phrases, such as: 另有打算(lìng yǒu dǎ suàn; have other plans)，另立户头(lìng lì hù tóu; open another/separate bank account) etc. “另”is the best choice.

Can you tell apart “另外” and “另” now? The quickest way to learn the difference between synonyms is using sample sentences to make your own sentences, getting your own sentences proofread by a Chinese teacher, then memorizing the sentences that you made.

Rita is a professional Mandarin teacher, has been teaching more than 8 years. She enjoys digging more about Chinese grammar and culture work and helping more learners. Now she is working at the one-on-one online Chinese school TouchChinese.